Spring signs

I like the seasons very much; spring, summer, autumn and winter. Each one has something about them that I like. I guess I particularly like the change, the recurrent change; the cycles. Nature manifests everywhere, even in cities, where people tend to live with their back turned on nature; the temperature, the trees and all the plants, the longer days...

Although I love all four of them and I feel that's how it should be -the same as you shouldn't love one of your children more than the others...- I must confess I do have a favourite, which is spring. Spring is nature at its best; it's the re-birth after the winter rest; all plants start to sprout (brotar), some trees get their leaves back, some start to bloom (florecer) and mild (suaves) temperatures return as to invite you to get out of your home and enjoy the spectacle... and it's all so beautiful.

There is an official date for the beginning of the spring, this year will be March 20th, but nature doesn't care about formalities, and in reality spring starts a while before.

Here are the spring signs that I check to confirm that it is already here, in the order they usually happen:

-The hyacinth (jacintos) bulbs that I buy every winter, bloom

-There are little daisies (margaritas) scattered on the grass in parks, and sometimes there are violets too

-The cherry trees (cerezos), almond trees etc. bloom.

 -Irises (lirios) bloom (there are some in El Retiro that I usually go and check)

-I see my first ladybird (mariquita) of the season

And, where are we at the moment? Have you noticed any of these spring signs? Maybe the cherry trees and almond trees? Well, I have. But I hadn't seen the Irises yet, so last Sunday I went to El Retiro for a cycle with my niece Elia and I took her on an "expedition" to see them... and I wasn't dissappointed (decepcionada); there they were!

 I still have to see my first ladybird; will I see one before the 20th March? I will let you know when I do.